Iceland 2 - Scotland 3: Scots make four in a row

ALAN CAMPBELL

AN inexperienced Scotland side were fully deserving of their fourth successive win when they held on to beat Iceland at a chilly Laugardalsvollur National Stadium in Reykjavik last night.

Despite their build-up being disrupted by the withdrawals of star player Kim Little and striker Emma Mitchell, the Scots were by far the better side in the first half and deservedly led 3-1 at the interval.

The first two goals were scored by players who hadn’t registered on the international stage before – Glasgow City’s Leanne Crichton, pictured, finding the net in her tenth game, and Celtic’s Emily Thomson on her first start.

After Iceland pulled one back, Scotland right back Leanne Ross restored the advantage with a screaming shot from the edge of the box following a Hayley Lauder corner.

The hosts, who have qualified for the European Championship finals in Sweden, made four changes at half-time in an effort to make an impression on the game.

They reduced the deficit almost immediately and Scotland captain Gemma Fay, who had been at fault with the first-half goal, had to produce three outstanding saves to keep her side ahead.

The Scots had chances of their own, especially when substitute Eilish McSorley rattled the cross-bar with a 25-yard free kick. Coach Anna Signeul brought on three under-19 players for their debuts in the second period, and all played their part in the Scots holding out for the win.